Chapter 635
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Chapter 635
The cut through the ground did stop eventually, several kilometers from where it was first discovered. Chidi couldnt help but stop and inspect it more closely. It became shallower at the end, the very edge coming out the surface. That meant it did not align with his fanciful imagining where a flying individual cut the world below them, unless they happened to dip downward in a smooth curve.
There was only so far that Chidi could sense underground, and since the cut was so thin it didnt leave the earth open. However, judging from what he could feel of the curve, he supposed the cut should extend at least as far in the other direction, past the furthest point theyd gone. Chidi almost wanted to stay and look at it forever, but even if this wasnt a sign of immediate danger, it should be reported to the others.
So he took the burgeoning scouts back to camp, where he explained the situation to Captain Tiras. Basics answers were easy, but Tiras had some more complicated questions. What do you think it was for?
Chidi shook his head. I dont know. Testing a blade, perhaps, or a new form?
Do you think it was Rakiya?
Chidi folded his arms, concentrating on recalling the feel of Rakiya and her blade. The cut didnt leave behind any traces of energy, but it just doesnt feel like her.
No traces of energy? Tiras frowned, Could it have been from a long time ago?
Chidi shook his head. I think it was last night. He couldnt forget that dream. But while in the dream the whole world had been bisected, here that was clearly not the case. He had the feeling that the intent was there, but perhaps the goal was impossible. The plants hadnt recovered from the damage, even the ones that only needed to fix a thin cut still held together.
Not Rakiya. Perhaps the sword saint?
I wouldnt go so far as to say it would be anyone like that, Chidi frowned. Or rather, the sword saint was here, would we not have seen evidence of such a thing in the cities? There had been damage to Sieburns walls from a cut, but in Chidis estimation- that of a cultivator more than two whole phases of cultivation lower- those cuts were far too inelegant to be from the same person. And they properly matched what should have been Rakiyas level of ability.
Who else could it be? Tiras wondered. One of the other elite Harmonious Citadel sword disciples?
Chidi shrugged. I dont know. But perhaps I can return to inspect the rest of it. To see if there are any signs. Yes, that was a good enough excuse. And he would be inspecting the area. He would also just be taking in the feeling of it. It was like the danger of dangling over a cliff. Enticing, in a certain strange fashion.
-----
A woman was shackled, wrists and ankles bound behind her and a metal collar wrapped around her neck to another chain pulling her head forward. It didnt look comfortable at all, and of course it was not supposed to be. It was meant to maximally restrict movement, though the enchantments in the manacles and the formations around the area were likely sufficient on their own. Still, it was clear the threat was taken very seriously.
Aoibhin took it all in, frowning. Are you certain she is part of the Twin Soul Sect?
The man who answered was one of the so-called Assimilation cultivators local to Facraona. Myles of the Pink Pollen Sect, if she recalled correctly. Yes, we are quite certain.
How? They do not easily reveal themselves.
Thats not true, Chidi countered. You can definitely become a proper scout with enough training.
Even if that is true, since I am being taught by you it would be quite appropriate to use honorifics.
Chidi couldnt argue with that. Usually, people were polite because he was blind or because of his parents- those who were not polite and formal with everyone, of course. This time, hed actually done something even if it was only clumsily replicating the training of the spymaster.
They followed the slash to its other end, totalling tens of kilometers. It was much more concerning that the attack reached everything along that range, though the maximum distance was also more than Chidi could reasonably think about. If he stretched himself, he could perhaps reach a dozen meters beyond the tip of his blade, but his power would significantly wane. He would grow many times stronger throughout Essence Collection and then Life Transformation of course, but it was still hard to comprehend.
-----
Rather than sneaking into occupied cities, the best way to get some information was catching messengers. Why would the Harmonious Citadel use messengers? Partly because they did not know how to produce communication devices that worked to the same standards. Maybe a sense of traditionalism, or because they were concerned to allow the messages to be intercepted. That was apparently something that could happen, though Chidi knew that like anything countermeasures could be taken. And perhaps counter-countermeasures, in an endless cycle where nobody could be quite sure what was secret.
The easy answer at the moment, of course, was that the formations that prevented Chidis messages from leaving the planet also restricted the Harmonious Citadel. Thus, they could send runners, riders, or fliers. The latter was usually messenger birds- cultivators who could fly were usually too important to use as messengers. They would more likely have a message delivered to them.
The fliers Chidi had no hope of dealing with, though they did have some archers among their group. Unless one flew just over the treeline, it would be too far for Chidi to feel except perhaps through the disturbance of the air propagating downward. He didnt have the range either way, and it would be difficult for him to determine if it was carrying anything of note. Those on the ground, however, had to follow roads. And if they were riding a swift mount, Aconite would be perfect for chasing them down. It was difficult to get mounts that could outpace an Essence Collection equivalent- though they likely had some. The plan for those was to catch them in a trap, anything from a pitfall to a bear trap to simply blocking off their retreat with more people.
So far, they had caught two messengers along this same road. The contents of their satchels hadnt been terribly important, but eventually they could get something of value. And though Chidi had been quite satisfied with his infiltration of Sieburn, he wasnt looking forward to repeating the process. Especially since theyd be watching for tunnels.
Chidi ducked, but he was too slow. His arm was cut off at the shoulder, then his head came off his shoulders. Except there was no pain? And no damage around him. His neck was exactly where it should be, and Chidi didnt have even an impossibly thin cut. That was good, because he honestly wasnt certain what that would do to a living person. But hed certainly gotten the feeling.
Aconite prompted him. What is it? her head darted in all directions.
Just my imagination, maybe. Im getting jumpy because of that sword slash. He heard a sound down the road. Someones coming.
Good. The waiting had been getting to him. From the rhythm of the movement, it should be a rider. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Aconite while the others spread out on their side of the road, keeping far enough back to stay properly hidden. They were still learning the finer details, after all.
Then it didnt matter, as Chidi and Aconite pounced. Covering the intervening dozens of meters in an instant, Aconite took down the steed- a large bull of some sort. Chidi cut the messengers satchel off, his blade stopping before it cut deep into the woman herself. Perhaps if she survived they could interrogate her.
Something was approaching. Something recognized, if not strictly familiar. A dangerous sharpness at a concerning speed. So that was it. A trap. Three times was too many, it seemed.
Aconite was cut in half. No, she was going to be. Chidi shoved her away with his right arm, for a moment feeling his arm separating at the shoulder. But he managed to pull back just in time for both of them to be safe, the flying slash cutting a wide gouge in the ground. The width of a fist at the top narrowing down to a point below, at least a dozen meters long and launched from hundreds of meters away.
The blade was Rakiyas and Chidi knew he was dead. Avoiding one casual attack wouldnt change that.
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Chapter 635
The cut through the ground did stop eventually, several kilometers from where it was first discovered. Chidi couldnt help but stop and inspect it more closely. It became shallower at the end, the very edge coming out the surface. That meant it did not align with his fanciful imagining where a flying individual cut the world below them, unless they happened to dip downward in a smooth curve.
There was only so far that Chidi could sense underground, and since the cut was so thin it didnt leave the earth open. However, judging from what he could feel of the curve, he supposed the cut should extend at least as far in the other direction, past the furthest point theyd gone. Chidi almost wanted to stay and look at it forever, but even if this wasnt a sign of immediate danger, it should be reported to the others.
So he took the burgeoning scouts back to camp, where he explained the situation to Captain Tiras. Basics answers were easy, but Tiras had some more complicated questions. What do you think it was for?
Chidi shook his head. I dont know. Testing a blade, perhaps, or a new form?
Do you think it was Rakiya?
Chidi folded his arms, concentrating on recalling the feel of Rakiya and her blade. The cut didnt leave behind any traces of energy, but it just doesnt feel like her.
No traces of energy? Tiras frowned, Could it have been from a long time ago?
Chidi shook his head. I think it was last night. He couldnt forget that dream. But while in the dream the whole world had been bisected, here that was clearly not the case. He had the feeling that the intent was there, but perhaps the goal was impossible. The plants hadnt recovered from the damage, even the ones that only needed to fix a thin cut still held together.
Not Rakiya. Perhaps the sword saint?
I wouldnt go so far as to say it would be anyone like that, Chidi frowned. Or rather, the sword saint was here, would we not have seen evidence of such a thing in the cities? There had been damage to Sieburns walls from a cut, but in Chidis estimation- that of a cultivator more than two whole phases of cultivation lower- those cuts were far too inelegant to be from the same person. And they properly matched what should have been Rakiyas level of ability.
Who else could it be? Tiras wondered. One of the other elite Harmonious Citadel sword disciples?
Chidi shrugged. I dont know. But perhaps I can return to inspect the rest of it. To see if there are any signs. Yes, that was a good enough excuse. And he would be inspecting the area. He would also just be taking in the feeling of it. It was like the danger of dangling over a cliff. Enticing, in a certain strange fashion.
-----
A woman was shackled, wrists and ankles bound behind her and a metal collar wrapped around her neck to another chain pulling her head forward. It didnt look comfortable at all, and of course it was not supposed to be. It was meant to maximally restrict movement, though the enchantments in the manacles and the formations around the area were likely sufficient on their own. Still, it was clear the threat was taken very seriously.
Aoibhin took it all in, frowning. Are you certain she is part of the Twin Soul Sect?
The man who answered was one of the so-called Assimilation cultivators local to Facraona. Myles of the Pink Pollen Sect, if she recalled correctly. Yes, we are quite certain.
How? They do not easily reveal themselves.
Thats not true, Chidi countered. You can definitely become a proper scout with enough training.
Even if that is true, since I am being taught by you it would be quite appropriate to use honorifics.
Chidi couldnt argue with that. Usually, people were polite because he was blind or because of his parents- those who were not polite and formal with everyone, of course. This time, hed actually done something even if it was only clumsily replicating the training of the spymaster.
They followed the slash to its other end, totalling tens of kilometers. It was much more concerning that the attack reached everything along that range, though the maximum distance was also more than Chidi could reasonably think about. If he stretched himself, he could perhaps reach a dozen meters beyond the tip of his blade, but his power would significantly wane. He would grow many times stronger throughout Essence Collection and then Life Transformation of course, but it was still hard to comprehend.
-----
Rather than sneaking into occupied cities, the best way to get some information was catching messengers. Why would the Harmonious Citadel use messengers? Partly because they did not know how to produce communication devices that worked to the same standards. Maybe a sense of traditionalism, or because they were concerned to allow the messages to be intercepted. That was apparently something that could happen, though Chidi knew that like anything countermeasures could be taken. And perhaps counter-countermeasures, in an endless cycle where nobody could be quite sure what was secret.
The easy answer at the moment, of course, was that the formations that prevented Chidis messages from leaving the planet also restricted the Harmonious Citadel. Thus, they could send runners, riders, or fliers. The latter was usually messenger birds- cultivators who could fly were usually too important to use as messengers. They would more likely have a message delivered to them.
The fliers Chidi had no hope of dealing with, though they did have some archers among their group. Unless one flew just over the treeline, it would be too far for Chidi to feel except perhaps through the disturbance of the air propagating downward. He didnt have the range either way, and it would be difficult for him to determine if it was carrying anything of note. Those on the ground, however, had to follow roads. And if they were riding a swift mount, Aconite would be perfect for chasing them down. It was difficult to get mounts that could outpace an Essence Collection equivalent- though they likely had some. The plan for those was to catch them in a trap, anything from a pitfall to a bear trap to simply blocking off their retreat with more people.
So far, they had caught two messengers along this same road. The contents of their satchels hadnt been terribly important, but eventually they could get something of value. And though Chidi had been quite satisfied with his infiltration of Sieburn, he wasnt looking forward to repeating the process. Especially since theyd be watching for tunnels.
Chidi ducked, but he was too slow. His arm was cut off at the shoulder, then his head came off his shoulders. Except there was no pain? And no damage around him. His neck was exactly where it should be, and Chidi didnt have even an impossibly thin cut. That was good, because he honestly wasnt certain what that would do to a living person. But hed certainly gotten the feeling.
Aconite prompted him. What is it? her head darted in all directions.
Just my imagination, maybe. Im getting jumpy because of that sword slash. He heard a sound down the road. Someones coming.
Good. The waiting had been getting to him. From the rhythm of the movement, it should be a rider. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Aconite while the others spread out on their side of the road, keeping far enough back to stay properly hidden. They were still learning the finer details, after all.
Then it didnt matter, as Chidi and Aconite pounced. Covering the intervening dozens of meters in an instant, Aconite took down the steed- a large bull of some sort. Chidi cut the messengers satchel off, his blade stopping before it cut deep into the woman herself. Perhaps if she survived they could interrogate her.
Something was approaching. Something recognized, if not strictly familiar. A dangerous sharpness at a concerning speed. So that was it. A trap. Three times was too many, it seemed.
Aconite was cut in half. No, she was going to be. Chidi shoved her away with his right arm, for a moment feeling his arm separating at the shoulder. But he managed to pull back just in time for both of them to be safe, the flying slash cutting a wide gouge in the ground. The width of a fist at the top narrowing down to a point below, at least a dozen meters long and launched from hundreds of meters away.
The blade was Rakiyas and Chidi knew he was dead. Avoiding one casual attack wouldnt change that.
Chapter 635The cut through the ground did stop eventually, several kilometers from where it was first discovered. Chidi couldnt help but stop and inspect it more closely. It became shallower at the end, the very edge coming out the surface. That meant it did not align with his fanciful imagining where a flying individual cut the world below them, unless they happened to dip downward in a smooth curve. There was only so far that Chidi could sense underground, and since the cut was so thin it didnt leave the earth open. However, judging from what he could feel of the curve, he supposed the cut should extend at least as far in the other direction, past the furthest point theyd gone. Chidi almost wanted to stay and look at it forever, but even if this wasnt a sign of immediate danger, it should be reported to the others. So he took the burgeoning scouts back to camp, where he explained the situation to Captain Tiras. Basics answers were easy, but Tiras had some more complicated questions. What do you think it was for?Chidi shook his head. I dont know. Testing a blade, perhaps, or a new form?Do you think it was Rakiya?Chidi folded his arms, concentrating on recalling the feel of Rakiya and her blade. The cut didnt leave behind any traces of energy, but it just doesnt feel like her.No traces of energy? Tiras frowned, Could it have been from a long time ago?Chidi shook his head. I think it was last night. He couldnt forget that dream. But while in the dream the whole world had been bisected, here that was clearly not the case. He had the feeling that the intent was there, but perhaps the goal was impossible. The plants hadnt recovered from the damage, even the ones that only needed to fix a thin cut still held together.Not Rakiya. Perhaps the sword saint?I wouldnt go so far as to say it would be anyone like that, Chidi frowned. Or rather, the sword saint was here, would we not have seen evidence of such a thing in the cities? There had been damage to Sieburns walls from a cut, but in Chidis estimation- that of a cultivator more than two whole phases of cultivation lower- those cuts were far too inelegant to be from the same person. And they properly matched what should have been Rakiyas level of ability.Who else could it be? Tiras wondered. One of the other elite Harmonious Citadel sword disciples?Chidi shrugged. I dont know. But perhaps I can return to inspect the rest of it. To see if there are any signs. Yes, that was a good enough excuse. And he would be inspecting the area. He would also just be taking in the feeling of it. It was like the danger of dangling over a cliff. Enticing, in a certain strange fashion.-----A woman was shackled, wrists and ankles bound behind her and a metal collar wrapped around her neck to another chain pulling her head forward. It didnt look comfortable at all, and of course it was not supposed to be. It was meant to maximally restrict movement, though the enchantments in the manacles and the formations around the area were likely sufficient on their own. Still, it was clear the threat was taken very seriously.Aoibhin took it all in, frowning. Are you certain she is part of the Twin Soul Sect? The man who answered was one of the so-called Assimilation cultivators local to Facraona. Myles of the Pink Pollen Sect, if she recalled correctly. Yes, we are quite certain.How? They do not easily reveal themselves.Thats not true, Chidi countered. You can definitely become a proper scout with enough training.Even if that is true, since I am being taught by you it would be quite appropriate to use honorifics.Chidi couldnt argue with that. Usually, people were polite because he was blind or because of his parents- those who were not polite and formal with everyone, of course. This time, hed actually done something even if it was only clumsily replicating the training of the spymaster.They followed the slash to its other end, totalling tens of kilometers. It was much more concerning that the attack reached everything along that range, though the maximum distance was also more than Chidi could reasonably think about. If he stretched himself, he could perhaps reach a dozen meters beyond the tip of his blade, but his power would significantly wane. He would grow many times stronger throughout Essence Collection and then Life Transformation of course, but it was still hard to comprehend.-----Rather than sneaking into occupied cities, the best way to get some information was catching messengers. Why would the Harmonious Citadel use messengers? Partly because they did not know how to produce communication devices that worked to the same standards. Maybe a sense of traditionalism, or because they were concerned to allow the messages to be intercepted. That was apparently something that could happen, though Chidi knew that like anything countermeasures could be taken. And perhaps counter-countermeasures, in an endless cycle where nobody could be quite sure what was secret.The easy answer at the moment, of course, was that the formations that prevented Chidis messages from leaving the planet also restricted the Harmonious Citadel. Thus, they could send runners, riders, or fliers. The latter was usually messenger birds- cultivators who could fly were usually too important to use as messengers. They would more likely have a message delivered to them.The fliers Chidi had no hope of dealing with, though they did have some archers among their group. Unless one flew just over the treeline, it would be too far for Chidi to feel except perhaps through the disturbance of the air propagating downward. He didnt have the range either way, and it would be difficult for him to determine if it was carrying anything of note. Those on the ground, however, had to follow roads. And if they were riding a swift mount, Aconite would be perfect for chasing them down. It was difficult to get mounts that could outpace an Essence Collection equivalent- though they likely had some. The plan for those was to catch them in a trap, anything from a pitfall to a bear trap to simply blocking off their retreat with more people.So far, they had caught two messengers along this same road. The contents of their satchels hadnt been terribly important, but eventually they could get something of value. And though Chidi had been quite satisfied with his infiltration of Sieburn, he wasnt looking forward to repeating the process. Especially since theyd be watching for tunnels.Chidi ducked, but he was too slow. His arm was cut off at the shoulder, then his head came off his shoulders. Except there was no pain? And no damage around him. His neck was exactly where it should be, and Chidi didnt have even an impossibly thin cut. That was good, because he honestly wasnt certain what that would do to a living person. But hed certainly gotten the feeling.Aconite prompted him. What is it? her head darted in all directions.Just my imagination, maybe. Im getting jumpy because of that sword slash. He heard a sound down the road. Someones coming.Good. The waiting had been getting to him. From the rhythm of the movement, it should be a rider. He stood shoulder to shoulder with Aconite while the others spread out on their side of the road, keeping far enough back to stay properly hidden. They were still learning the finer details, after all.Then it didnt matter, as Chidi and Aconite pounced. Covering the intervening dozens of meters in an instant, Aconite took down the steed- a large bull of some sort. Chidi cut the messengers satchel off, his blade stopping before it cut deep into the woman herself. Perhaps if she survived they could interrogate her.Something was approaching. Something recognized, if not strictly familiar. A dangerous sharpness at a concerning speed. So that was it. A trap. Three times was too many, it seemed.Aconite was cut in half. No, she was going to be. Chidi shoved her away with his right arm, for a moment feeling his arm separating at the shoulder. But he managed to pull back just in time for both of them to be safe, the flying slash cutting a wide gouge in the ground. The width of a fist at the top narrowing down to a point below, at least a dozen meters long and launched from hundreds of meters away.The blade was Rakiyas and Chidi knew he was dead. Avoiding one casual attack wouldnt change that.
